Which developer for sheet film?

[DannyTreacy]

Hi all,

Just reading Kodak's introduction to T-Max developer and it states "Do not use this developer to process sheet film". It doesn't say why.

I wonder why this would be and what would you recommend for developing 5x4 Ilford FP4 and HP5?

Thanks,
Danny.

 

[sevo]

There is some peculiar coating on T-Max sheet film that plain T-Max developer will not clear - the sheets may have what looks like a oily stain after processing. Use T-Max RS (the replenishable version) for T-Max sheet film.

I don't think that that extends to other sheet film types, even less so other brand sheet film types.

 

[Ronald M]

I believe it is not made to be replenished for use in large format tanks. They made/make a different one for replenishment.

I just mix some D76 and use it for everything.

For deep tanks and hangars, I would pick HC110. Proper hangar racks and ss tanks are hard to find. The hangar rack makes it easy to handle 8 hangars. I had mine made special.

4x5 Nikor tanks are also available. Volume is low, so D76 works.

5x7 trays with a single sheet of film is also fine, D76 again.

Jobo expert drum is easiest of all to use. D76.

I use D76 because I can scratch mix it in small or large quantities and it is very cheap and I know how fresh it is. I have run tests to see how long a mixed batch is PERFECTLY consistent. Kodak is right, 6 months in sealed glass bottles. No plastic stuff. It works well after that, but activity starts to lower.

 

[DannyTreacy]

Thanks for the replies, I was planning on using one of the MOD54 devices, so it would be processing in a Patterson tank, I have a choice of T-Max or ID-11 as that's what I have to hand.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks for the replies, I was planning on using one of the MOD54 devices, so it would be processing in a Patterson tank, I have a choice of T-Max or ID-11 as that's what I have to hand.

... I believe id11 and d76 are the same thing for all practical purposes